Fast, automatic, unconscious cognitive processing that operates through pattern recognition and associative memory without deliberate effort.
When you see a face showing anger, System 1 instantly recognizes the emotion without conscious analysis. When driving a familiar route, System 1 handles most decisions automatically, freeing System 2 for other tasks.
System 1 is always unreliable and should be overridden—in reality, it's highly reliable in stable, familiar environments where you have extensive experience.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
Slow, effortful, conscious cognitive processing required for complex calculations, unfamiliar tasks, and deliberate reasoning.
When faced with a difficult question, System 1 automatically substitutes an easier question without conscious awareness of the switch.
Slow, effortful, conscious cognitive processing required for complex calculations, unfamiliar tasks, and deliberate reasoning.
The tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered (the anchor) when making decisions, even when it's arbitrary or irrelevant.
Judging the frequency or probability of events by how easily examples come to mind, leading to overestimation of vivid, recent, or emotional events.
What is the key characteristic that makes System 1 thinking 'automatic'?
You're designing a user interface for a medical app. When should you design for System 1, and when should you force System 2 engagement?